New York City is the type of place where even the biggest events are lost in the background noise. Not more than a block away from the tents you can’t even tell that Fashionweek is going on.
I went to Staples to buy some CDs and it felt as far away from the frenzy as Timbuktu. Even the Starbucks and Chiptotles across the street are dead. The entire fashion world is confined to the giant tents and they are a world unto themselves.
I can waltz right into the front tents via 6th Avenue between 41st and 40th with a flash of my press badge. Oddly there aren’t many people milling about out front. I expected fashion obsessed fans, photographers, and the other trash that follows the glitterati to be desperate to gain access. But outside it feels like a subdued affair. Even in the tents it doesn’t seem like much is going on except right before a show goes live!
I actually spend most of my time in the basic press area. Before a show starts it tends to be quite busy but in the interim it is rather quiet which if there were consistent wi-fi and plugs (something I will blog about later, there are no plugs!) it would be very easy and convenient to blog constantly. Aquafina has a booth in the main tent so I am kept well hydrated but the only food is Atkins bars and shakes. How fashionista is that? York Peppermint patty has a booth and girls in white tee-shirts keep trying to foist them upon me. Too many chocolates!
Moet et Chandon has a booth but I haven’t seen much alcohol yet. The only drink I have had was from the MAC booth right before Baby-Phat. Editors must waltz in and out during the day, no one seems to stay put through the day except myself and the photographers. There is actually an amazing amount of downtime because nothing starts on time. Which should be ideal for blogging except I can never get online.
Fashion is obviously a small world and even though I know many people I can’t help but feeling I might be missing out on many people that really matter. It is hard to tell apart the important corporate types apart from the generic marketing girls that populate the tents.
And now I am rambling because I am hungry and tired. More shows will be up soon and Fashiontribes will have podcasts up ASAP!
Jay McCaroll and Patrick McDonald just stopped to say hi to Lesley and Rachel from Fashiontribes! Pictures will be forthcoming! We love you Jay and Patrick. Live at 5:16 I just had an encounter with Jay McCaroll. How TV change your perceptions of things! And the bar appears to have opened for the night. I will tell you if everyone gets drunk!
I am right here with Jay! Live no less. Live comment from Jay!whats up motherfuckers???? i am here with selene. we live together. you can see her on “project jay” which will be on bravo on february 22nd at 11 pm after the reunion show of project runway. speaking of…who are you pulling for? i am totally all over santino. we love him. i want to talk shit about certain contestants but i will get in trouble. anyway. watch my fucking show!! all the best to you! um…….jay
the dumb bitch holding the laptop spelled my name wrong. JAY MCCARROLL 
hehe… love Jay
I’m having problems with your comment box
That’s interesting about the subdued downtimes… on television you only ever see the mad lead-up to the shows. I guess the hangers-on only arrive for the celebrity shows like Baby Phat?
Are there ever any empty seats at the shows? How big are the tents? What happens after the shows – is there showrooms for the buyers, I guess maybe not for press? Who takes the orders for the designers and how? I guess what I’m wondering is to what extent Fashion Week is a trade show vs. a publicity machine.
I LOOOOOOVE JAY! Congratulations on the win! You are F A B U L O U S
Hi Jay – love you and your show! I wrote you a song with your little song you sang in the cab – fabulous! I hope we hear it in the clubs soon! Love ya!
Jeffrey
http://www.tagworld.com/blobularvessel
Jay if you ever quit designing I will cry, kill then die
yours (Non-obsesivly,)
sean